Inaugural Port City Brewfest

/

As of Friday, May 25th Port City Brewfest has been cancelled. They commented on their Facebook page that only 20 tickets had been sold and that it was determined there was not enough interest to hold the event.

---

Free The Hops (FTH), hosts of Rocket City Brewfest (Huntsville, AL) and Magic City Brewfest (Birmingham, AL), added a third fest to their schedule this year. The inaugural Port City Brewfest will be held at Cooper Riverside Park in Mobile, AL on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014.

FTH description of the event: Official Event Flyer

Port City Brewfest is an event dedicated to learning about craft beer and sampling the best that Alabama has to offer. There will be 200+ individual beers available, including many rare, specialty and cask ales which have never been seen before in Alabama (and may never be seen again).

The full list of participating breweries / beers will be posted on the official website in the near future. Advance tickets are $33.50 and can be bought through Ticketmaster. Tickets at the gate will be $38. Admission for designated drivers, accompanying a general admission attendee, is free.

The festival uses a "Penny a Pour" system, which is a reasonable and charitable method of working within the law without overburdening the attendees:

State law and ABC regulations do not allow us to give “unlimited free samples.” The gate price gets you admission to the festival. Once inside you will be charged $0.01 for each beer sample, which we donate to charity (In 2011, $298.33 for tornado relief in Alabama during the Magic City Brewfest in Birmingham). We utilize the honor system so you can leave a quarter in one bucket and enjoy 25 samples.

You can find out all the details on the Port City Brewfest website. You can also keep up-to-date on the event by following them on Facebook and Twitter.

Event Summary
Event: Port City Brewfest
Location: Cooper Riverside Park, Mobile, AL
When: Saturday, May 3rd 4 - 8pm

Founders Day at Hopjacks Filling Station

/


Saturday, May 3rd, Hopjacks Filling Station will be hosting Founders Day. A reservation gets you one Beer Flight that includes four 4oz draft pours of some great Founders brews (descriptions courtesy of Founders Brewing):

Curmudgeon (Old Ale) - BeerAdvocate 90 / RateBeer 99

Think classic seafaring ports, local pubs, and weathered old fishermen. This old ale is brewed with molasses and an insane focus on the malt bill, then oak-aged. The result is a strong, rich, malty delight that’s deceptively smooth and drinkable.

Smoked Porter - BeerAdvocate 90 / RateBeer 99

Brewed for the first time when our brewers were experimenting on our new three-barrel pilot system, we decided this one was too good to keep to ourselves. This 8% ABV smoked robust porter is brewed with a combination of beechwood-smoked barley and oak-smoked wheat malt along with a generous helping of chocolate malt. This blend delivers a beautiful balance of chocolate and smoke character that’s flavor-forward without being overwhelming.

KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) - BeerAdvocate 100 / RateBeer 100

What we’ve got here is an imperial stout brewed with a massive amount of coffee and chocolates, then cave-aged in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year to make sure wonderful bourbon undertones come through in the finish. Makes your taste buds squeal with delight.

Rübæus - BeerAdvocate 87 / RateBeer 94

Not another boring summer wheat beer or lemonade shandy—Rübæus is Founders’ way to celebrate the season’s warmest months. Optimizing the flavor of fresh raspberries added at multiple stages during fermentation, this stunning berry red masterpiece is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. No question about it, with a hefty malt bill and 5.7% ABV, this beer is 100% Founders.

Reservations, only 99 available, are $9.75. Two people max per reservation, one flight per person. The event is split into three blocks of time: 1-2:30, 2:30-4, and 4-5:30. To make reservations, call 850.497.6076 (ext 3) or email info(at)hopjacks.com.

Event Summary
Event: Founders Day
Location: Hopjacks Filling Station
When: Saturday, May 3rd
Cost: $9.75
Reservations: Call 850.497.6076 (ext 3) or email info(at)hopjacks.com

Pensacola Bay Brewery Beer Dinner

/

On Thursday, April 17th, the Hilton on Pensacola Beach teams up with our own Pensacola Bay Brewery to hold their annual beer dinner. You can't beat this combination of great beer, food, and a beautiful location. Tickets are only $46 plus tax but you can also win tickets for two to the dinner.

Official Event Flyer
Chef Dan Dunn has planned some great courses to pair with these local brews:

Event Summary
Event: Pensacola Bay Brewery Beer Dinner
Location: Hilton Pensacola Beach
When: Thursday, April 17th 6:30
Cost: $46 plus taxes per ticket
Reservations: Call 850-916-2999

FBC Rescue Dog Red Release Party

/

NOTE: Fairhope Brewing Company has announced that Bark & Brews has been postponed due to weather concerns. It will now take place on Friday, April 11th. We will update the below posting when we have full details.

Fairhope Brewing Company (FBC) is rolling our their spring seasonal beer this Sunday, April 6th at the Rescue Dog Red Release Party. Rescue Dog Red is an American Imperial Red Ale which FBC describes as having...

massive hop character to match its full-bodied malt bill.

The release party will be raising money for The Haven, a no-kill animal rescue shelter. Donations to The Haven will include $2 per pour (increased from $1 last year) as well as 100% of tips given to the guest "barktenders". Last year more than $1,400 was raised for The Haven. A Mobile Pet Adoption Unit will be at the event from 2-4pm with some furry companions looking for their "Forever Home". Lin Wise will be playing live music on the patio from 3-6pm.

Official Flyer

So take a short trip this Sunday out to FBC and enjoy their seasonal release while helping raise money for a good cause. Who knows, you may even be taking home a new family member.

Event Summary
Event: Rescue Dog Red Release Party
Location: Fairhope Brewing Company, Fairhope, AL
When: Sunday, April 6th 2-7pm

Inaugural Great Firkin Fest

/

Budweiser-Busch Distributing and Moe's Original Bar B Que are bringing the inaugural Great Firkin Fest to Mobile, Alabama on April 5th. The fest will feature Eric Lindell and Keller Williams. Money raised will go to benefit the local American Cancer Society.

Each participating brewery will be bringing a firkin of distinctive cask ale to the event. The list of participating breweries is an impressive gathering of Alabama breweries as well as some regional breweries:

Tickets to Firkin Fest only are $22 in advance and $25 the day of the event. Firkin Festival tickets include admission, a sampling glass, brewery brochures and a koozie. Firkins will be tapped at 12:30 pm, live music starts at 1pm, and there will be free crawfish starting at 5pm.

Tickets to both firkin fest and Keller Willams show (starts at 9pm) are $32 in advance and $35 the day of the event.

Event Summary
Event: The Great Firkin Fest
Location: Moe’s Original Bar B Que, Mobile, AL
When: Saturday, April 5th 12pm - 12am
Cost:
Fest Only - $22 advance / $25 day of
Fest & Concert - $32 advance / $35 day of
Tickets: Call (251) 410-7427

The Magnolia Hosts New Belgium Supper Club

/

Monday, April 14th, The Magnolia is holding a New Belgium Brewery Supper Club: a five course dinner with beer pairings. The menu for the event looks incredible:

  • Amuse - Paired with Fat Tire Amber Ale
  • Gulf Shrimp, Fennel & Orange Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette - Paired with Snapshot Wheat
  • Pastrami & Stone Ground Mustard Tartine on Rye Toast, Poached Egg - Paired with Shift Lager
  • Sous Vide & Grilled Rosemary Pork Loin over Sweet Potato & Apple Puress, Salt & Pepper Bruised Arugula - Paired with Ranger IPA
  • Caramelized Banana Creme Brûlée - Paired with Trippel Belgian Style Ale

The Magnolia is a recent addition to the Pensacola restaurant scene opened by locals Bill Manning & Kiley Bolster. Offering a cozy setting, delicious 'comfort food with an International twist', as well as a variety of craft beer and wine, we're big fans of The Magnolia.

Tickets are $65 per person and includes meal, beer pairings, and New Belgium pint glass. The Magnolia can accommodate any dietary restrictions for their supper clubs if contacted before the event.

Event Summary
Event: New Belgium Supper Club
Location: The Magnolia
When: Monday, April 14th 5:30 pm
Tickets: $65 - Call 850.912.6196 / Email themagnoliaeph[at]gmail.com

Grand Opening of Grayton Beer

/

For those familiar with local craft beer scene in Northwest Florida, you know Grayton Beer Company out of Santa Rosa Beach is by no means new to the area. You have been able to find Grayton beers in Pensacola area stores since 2011, and I actually had my first Grayton beer at the 2012 Emerald Coast Beer Festival.

What you may not know though, is that Grayton started implementing major upgrades early last year, the largest being the construction of a new brewery, which took almost 11 months to complete. Shortly after construction was completed, Grayton started receiving delivery of their new state-of-the-art brewing equipment including nine stainless steel fermentation tanks. Each tank holds as much as 22,000 pints of beer each and, together, give Grayton enough capacity to brew the equivalent of 150,000 bottles of beer at a time.

Grayton Beer Company crews worked around the clock to take delivery of nine fermenting tanks at South Walton's first brewery.

Grayton Beer Company new brewery includes nine stainless steel fermentation tanks.

Founder and President of Grayton Beer Company, Jamey Price, in front of new tanks.

Grayton has wasted no time putting this new brewery to work as it has been brewing and packaging non-stop to launch its new five beer lineup: A mix of Grayton originals along with entirely new offerings, all of which received new, locally inspired, packaging designs.

  • Original (Grayton's Flagship beer) - American-style Kölsch

  • 1890's Founder's Ale - Amber Ale

  • White Dunes - Belgian Witbier

  • Pale Ale

  • 30A Beach Blonde Ale

All of these local craft brews from Grayton will be available in bottle and draft in restaurants and bars from Pensacola to Apalachicola.

Anyone interested in helping celebrate Grayton's new brewery and beers, you're invited to attend the Grayton Beer Grand Opening this Saturday, March 8th from 1 to 5 pm. Admission is free.

Grand Opening Official Flyer

Event Summary
Event: Grayton Beer Grand Opening
Location: Grayton Beer Brewery: 217 Serenoa Rd, Santa Rosa Beach
When: Saturday, March 8th 1-5 pm
Cost: Free

TLC Valentine's Day Dinner

/

Haven't made plans for Valentine's Day yet? The Leisure Club has you covered with a 5-course Valentine's Day Dinner! Plenty of Valentine's Day dinners include a wine pairing but TLC gives you a choice of wine or craft beer pairings. So even if you and your significant other can't agree on which to pair it with, no need to fight on this special day, you can both have your wish.

The 5-course menu:

Course 1: Sriracha and Wasabi Deviled Eggs

Course 2: Arugula, Apple, Fennel Salad with Smoked Bacon & Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Course 3: Tavern Cheese Soup featuring Session Lager

Course 4: Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with Roasted Corn & Chipotle Mashed Potatoes

Course 5: Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Tickets are $45 per person with choice of of wine or craft beer pairings. You can also choose to just get the dinner (no pairings) for $30. There will be a 6pm and an 8mp seating, reservations are required and can be made by calling 850.912.4229.

Event Summary
Event: TLC Valentine’s Day Dinner
Location: The Leisure Club
When: Friday, February 14th 6pm & 8pm Seating
Cost: $45 per person with wine or craft beer pairing. $30 dinner only.
Reservations: Required - Call 850.912.4229

Sweetwater Beer Dinner at Chan's Wine World

/

Chan's Wine World in Destin will be hosting a Sweetwater Beer Dinner on Thursday, Feb 13th. The event will consist of a 5 course food and beer pairing and will feature Second Helping IPA. There are only 50 seats available, tickets are $35 and can be purchased at Chan's Wine World Destin.

Menu for the event:

Second Helping IPA is a limited release IPA (normally only available in the Atlanta area) brewed with Juniper berries. 100% of profits from Second Helping IPA will be donated to The Giving Kitchen whose mission is to provide crisis grants to members of Atlanta’s restaurant community facing unanticipated hardship.

Second Helping IPA from SweetWater Brewery on Vimeo.

Event Summary
Event: Sweetwater Beer Dinner
Location: Chan’s Wine World - Destin
When: Thursday, February 13th 7pm-9pm
Cost: $35
Tickets: Chan’s Wine World - Destin

2014 Top of the Hops Festival - Biloxi

/

2014 Top of the Hops Biloxi Official Flyer

We're barely into the new year, but the area's first beer festival is just days away. The 4th Annual Top of the Hops Festival in Biloxi, MS takes place this Saturday at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center starting at 5pm.

Attendees will receive a commemorative mug and the opportunity to taste two ounce samplings of over 150 craft beers. The festival will also feature the Brew University Education Area with beer seminars including Cooking with Beer, Food Pairings, Brewing 101 as well as other beer education sessions. Live entertainment, food, and games round out the day.

Among an impressive list of craft breweries attending will be local favorites Back Forty Beer Company out of Alabama, and Mississippi's own Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company and Crooked Letter Brewing Company. That's a great opportunity to support 3 local breweries all under one roof.

General Admission Tickets are $35 in advance. VIP Tickets are $75 in advance and include early entry to the festival at 4pm, access to the VIP area, the opportunity to sample beer selections not available to General Admission Ticket holders, and complimentary food from 5pm to 8pm.

Designated Driver Tickets are $15 in advance and include complimentary soda and water. VIP Designated Driver Tickets are $25 in advance and add early entry to the festival as well as access to the VIP area and complimentary food.

Tickets will be available at the door the day of the festival ONLY if not sold out.

If you're looking for something to do the Friday before the festival, a Four Course Beer Pairing Dinner presented by Goose Island Beer Company out of Chicago will take place at Lookout Steaks & Seafood at 7pm.

Beer Pairing Dinner Official Flyer

Keep up with any news or last minute changes by following the Top of the Hops - Biloxi twitter account or liking them on Facebook. For questions check out their FAQ page, or contact them via their official webpage.

Event Summary
Event: 2014 Top of the Hops - Biloxi
Location: Mississippi Coast Convention Center
When: Saturday, February 8th 5pm (last pour 8:45pm)
Cost: $35 General Admission, $75 VIP (tickets sold at door ONLY if not sold out)
Purchase Tickets: TicketMaster


Event: Four Course Beer Pairing Dinner
Location: Lookout Steaks & Seafood
When: Friday, February 7th 7pm
Purchase Tickets: TicketMaster